It didn't take long for former Notre Dame All-American, Golden Tate -- to make the highlight reels in the NFL. Tate was activated for yesterday's game against Denver and all he did was return a punt for 63 yards and a few minutes later catch a 52 yard pass. Unfortunately, he didn't make it to the end zone -- either time -- but, he's got the Seahawks attention. After the game, Pete Carroll was fielding questions as to "why didn't you have Tate in the line-up last week?" Oh, by the way -- Tate was the back-up punt returner for this game. He only got back there after the #1 guy dropped a punt. Here's a link to a video of Golden's punt return -- ironically, he was tackled by former Domer; David Bruton and a second link to a news story on Golden's debut:
If this doesn't move Notre Dame to hire its own INDEPENDENT OFFICIATING crew -- I don't know what will.
Folks, we've had a very tough run of games for our boys in the GOLD helmets. I'm sure many will say "seasons." Heck, in our last seven games -- we've lost six -- and the average loss is by 4 points. FOUR POINTS! Our last eight losses have all been by less than a TD.
The boys at www.und.com will be "blogging" live from the Spartan Stadium press box beginning at 7 PM EST. Former Domers; Reggie Brooks and Mirko Jurkovic will be joined by Jack Nolan. They will be taking questions from Irish fans. Here's the link to participate in the blog:
This past Saturday, Notre Dame freshman WR T.J. Jones became a YOUTUBE Legend. Thankfully, that's the only result he and the Irish football program had to deal with after he forgot to cross the goal line with the football. As of this morning, almost 800,000 people have already tuned in to this video. If Michigan had not scored at the end of the game -- this would have been talked about for years. Here's the link:
Here's some video of the Irish getting off their buses at Spartans Stadium at 5:30 PM last night for their "walk-thru." The WNDU-TV crew caught up with Coach Kelly as well. The photo is of Dayne Crist, Irish QB, getting off their slick looking bus. Here's the link:
How soon we forget... Eight years ago, Notre Dame came to Spartan Stadium to take on MSU with Carlyle Holliday behind center. Unfortunately, Caryle gets hurt late in the third quarter and the Irish have to go to an "untested" (non-scholarship, walk-on) back-up named Pat Dillingham. Sound familiar? This time the 12th ranked Irish pull one out over the 22nd ranked Spartans in the final minute as Dillingham hooks up with former ND QB, Arnaz Battle -- you'll enjoy the bonus call of the winning touchdown by Tony Roberts! Here's the link:
Our friends at Olive Garden offered to send the ND GO IRISH BLOG a $15 gift certificate -- redeemable at anyone of their more than 700 restaurants across America & Canada -- if we were to agree to let Notre Dame fans know about their "My Never Ending Pasta Bowl" promotion that's going on in their restaurants until October 10th. (We're going to use the gift certificate in a ND GO IRISH BLOG contest -- once it arrives). Here's the details on the "My Never Ending Pasta Bowl" promotion:
Just got off the phone with the Notre Dame ticket office and learned that tickets are still available for the following games: Western Michigan & Tulsa (pairs together) and single tickets for the Pittsburgh and Utah games. To see the Irish play - call this number: 574.631.7356 to speak with the Notre Dame Ticket Office. If you've ever dreamed about seeing the Fighting Irish in Notre Dame Stadium - here's your chance! Tickets are $70 each.
Here's a link to Coach Kelly's press conference last night after practice -- his last time with the media before Saturday night's game against Michigan State. You'll hear some great news on the health of Defensive Line and Special Teams coach, Mike Elston -- and what Coach thinks about his Irish:
The Seattle Seahawks drafted Golden Tate 60th overall in the 2nd round of the 2010 NFL Draft. The former Biletnikoff Award winner, from Notre Dame, left school early to pursue a professional career which started "officially" this past Sunday. Unfortunately for Golden, he was standing on the sidelines in street clothes, watching four other Seahawk receivers make catches in Seattle's 31-7 win over the San Francisco 49'ers. In the NFL, only 45 of the 53 players on the roster are ruled "active" for each game - and Golden wasn't activated for their first game. Yesterday's Seattle Times did a story on what's keeping Golden on the sidelines -- and it makes you wonder would he have been better off with one more year at Notre Dame? Remember Coach Kelly's comments about Michael Floyd's lack of route running skills? Here's a link to the article:
George Atkinson played 11 years in the NFL for the Oakland Raiders. The former defensive back / punt returner was a member of their Super Bowl XI championship team. He's fifth all-time for the Raiders with 30 career interceptions and set their single game record for most punt return yards with 205 in one game! So, he knows a little about football. This past week his twin sons; George III and Josh committed to play football next year at Notre Dame -- and a local radio station tracked George down to ask him about his boys and "why Notre Dame?" I believe you'll enjoy his response. When you get to the web page, scroll down to the bottom and look for the link to the interview:
The promotional people at Cooper Tires sent the ND GO IRISH BLOG a note asking if we would be willing to let Notre Dame fans know about their Ultimate Bowl Tour Challenge. It sounds like something we'd like to win -- so here it is: This college football season Cooper Tires is awarding the most driven fan with a once-in-a-lifetime trip to attend five of the biggest BCS bowl games including the Rose Bowl, Orange Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Cotton Bowl, and the National Championship Game. The winner of the Copper Tires Ultimate Bowl Tour and three very lucky friends will be whisked away on a private jet, making stops in Pasadena, Miami, New Orleans, Dallas and Glendale, AZ. I say Notre Dame fans would look great in that private jet wearing our blue & gold at every Bowl Game! Here's the link to play:
Now, that's not what they call this position anymore. The official title is Associate Vice President for Undergraduate Admissions -- and the person 'soon to be sitting' in that office at Notre Dame is Donald Bishop. Bishop was announced yesterday as the replacement for the retired Dan Saracino -- effective December 1st. He's a former ND grad, Class of 1977, who previously worked for eight years in Notre Dame's Admissions department before stints at Cornell, Creighton, Ohio Weleyan and Embry Riddle. So, if you want to get your son or daughter into Notre Dame -- it will be his team making those decisions starting this December!
This past Saturday, the University of Notre Dame's President; Rev. John Jenkins, presided over a ceremony to bless and dedicate the Compton Family Center -- the future home of the Irish Hockey program. "The Compton" is named after Kevin and Gayla Compton, who also happen to be the owners of the NHL's San Jose Sharks. Kevin and Gayla made a generous lead gift to Notre Dame to fund what is being called by some as college hockey's "Cathedral." The $53 million structure, which opens in October 2011 -- will immediately become the finest college hockey facility in the world. Here's a few links to a number of architectural renderings of this world-class facility:
